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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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Cling to the Lord!
I remember Bishop Knudsen saying, “The Bible is the Word of God and not the words of God.” The words are the fascinating stories; the Word is the spiritual meaning and life lesson behind the stories. Jacob wrestling with a man (ultimately meaning God) reflects the tension between our natural selves and our spiritual selves, as well as our struggle to understand and follow God’s will.
In this biblical account we find Jacob encountering and wrestling with a “person” all night long; he perceives that this person is not mortal but rather divine. Jacob clings and will not let go until he receives a blessing. As a result he receives a new name and identity, from Jacob (meaning heel or crooked) to Israel (prevails with God). He also incurred an injured hip, a constant reminder of the encounter with every step he took. Jacob was not given full knowledge of God, but his experience was life altering.
We can cling to God in our thoughts and prayers to determine the course of our hearts and behavior. God has given us grace – divine power and authority – to fight and win over negative thoughts that would cause us to loosen our grip on God. In the times when we are facing problems, temptations and sufferings, we need to cling to God all the more as they try to pull us away from our spiritual life. As we hold fast to God in prayer, we gain the spiritual strength needed to cope with and overcome our concerns and problems. Like Jacob, we should not let go, but persistently hold on to God until we receive the needed blessing.
Cling to the Lord; it is far better than wrestling alone for answers and direction!
Blessings,
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 32:22-31
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Welcome to The Episcopal Café’ Discussion Group! Sessions held in Parish Hall Chapel.
These discussion-sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites.
Participants can pre-read discussion articles on the sites indicated. The Episcopal Café discussion group topics and websites are:
August 3 “Is Christian Unity Anything More Than a Pious Aspiration?”
Facilitated by Jerry DiNoto
Click to read
August 10 “Spreading the word – A Liberal Response”
Facilitated by Audry Spencer
Click to read
August 17 “So Am I A Christian or Not?”
Facilitated by Jerry DiNoto
Click to read
August 24 “There’s No Such Thing As An Atheist Baby”
Facilitated by Craig Ewing
Click to read
August 31 NO SESSION Labor Day Weekend Holiday
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“Tuesdays at 7” In The Library
Join us for movies on Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library!
8/5 Movie: Tuesday with Morrie Facillitator: Jerry DiNoto
8/12 Movie: Driving Miss Daisy Facillitator: Audry Spencer
8/19 Movie: Rain Man Facillitator: Craig Ewing
8/26 Movie: Nebraska Facillitator: Jerry DiNoto
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Volunteers Needed – Roy’s Desert Resource Center!
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St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents as are baked goods, used clothing and donations to our Roy’s “S.O.S” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” used clothing repository. We encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, please contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978. We would love to hear from you!
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As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
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Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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At the Church
of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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Bishop Mathes has posted an editorial in the San Diego Union-Tribune regarding the border protests. You can read it here.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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ST. PAUL’S CAMPER’S MEETING AUG. 3 AFTER 10:30 SERVICE!
St. Paul’s Campers are going up to Idyllwild County Campground on August 15 through the 17th! Come and enjoy the cool mountain air and tall pine trees. Sign up in the Godly Play Room or call Bonnie Stroock at 760-324-7949.
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Piano Fund Update:
To date, the Church has received 53 donations totaling $11,295.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on August 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Barry Hagenbuch and Robert Woods will host this morning’s coffee hour following the 8:00 AM service.
Please consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour in 2014. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. There are several Sundays available through the end of the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Is on vacation for the Summer! Check back with us in September!
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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